Chapter 18

"What the fuck,"Cain grumbled as he rolled out of bed.

He was quickly followed by Vance, who muttered, "That's what I'd like to know."

Ah, nothing like morning-after regret. I'd had my fair share. Too many tequila shots sometimes led to a "what the fuck was I thinking" moment when I sobered up enough in someone's bed. Don't judge. A woman had needs.

I rolled to my back and watched the guys studiously avoiding the other's gaze as they rubbed the sleep from their faces. The attentive men of the middle of the night had been replaced with awkward, stiff versions who appeared to rue their choice to both sleep with me last night. And I mean sleep. Not a single grope, kiss, or tickle of pleasure occurred.

Cain stretched his arms, almost touching the ceiling, making joints crack before gruffly asking, "You got her while I shower?"

"Yeah. Grab a nap, too, if you need it. I'll keep an eye on her," Vance replied, even though it wasn't true. Vance had yet to look in my direction.

Talk about uncomfortable. So much for the sweetness they showed me overnight. I could practically grab hold of the embarrassment oozing from them.

Cain left without a word, and I made a face. "You sure you don't want to run away too?" I tartly commented, miffed by their reactions.

A rigid Vance finally turned to face me. "Sorry if I'm being awkward. I'm not sure what got into me last night. I don't usually behave in such a manner, nor did I mean to crowd your sleep."

"Is it so hard to admit in the light of day that you were worried about me and wanted to be close?" I tried not to sound pathetic or beg. Not sure I succeeded.

"Worried, yes, but my actions were out of character." He frowned. "From the moment I heard your panicked yell, it was as if my mind was consumed with thoughts of you. I couldn't think of anything else." He glanced at me suspiciously, and my stomach bottomed out.

Fuck me, had I done something like cast an inadvertent spell? The realization I might have forced them to snuggle and act overly protective hit me hard. As a woman, I recognized the importance of consent. The idea I might have compelled them into acting contrary to their wants… It felt gross.

I jumped out of bed. "I need breakfast." I didn't wait for a reply but fled down the stairs in my night gear, which could double as day clothing, given it consisted of track pants and a T-shirt.

Vance probably followed but not closely, given I didn't hear his steps shadowing mine. I fled to the kitchen, which held a bustling Mizuki, who pulled a baking sheet with croissants from the oven. Smelled heavenly but this morning called for a caffeine jolt. I headed for the coffee machine and poured myself a big mug.

"How are you doing this morning?" Mizuki asked, tilting her head. "Heard you mentally hollering for help last night. I would have come to your aid, but Nova beat me to it."

"Moloch dream," I replied, lips turned down. "The fucker tried to kill me."

"Yikes," she exclaimed. "I thought we'd spelled against him invading while you slept."

"It didn't work. Moloch claimed he and I have some kind of link because of the whole blood ritual that released him. Nova's going to see what she can do to block it."

"If anyone can, it's the Regina."

I slid my full and steaming mug of caffeinated courage in front of a stool before perching myself. After a few sips, I cautiously peeked over my shoulder and spotted Vance sitting in the great room, intent on his phone.

As Mizuki slid the rack with hot croissants in front of me, I leaned forward to whisper, "I need to ask you a weird question."

She leaned on the counter and murmured back, "Shoot."

"Is it possible to make someone like you with magic?"

The query wrinkled Mizuki's nose. "As in a love spell?"

"As in I screamed for help in my dream and my bodyguards came running and then proceeded to act very out of character."

"Out of character how?" she asked, her brow creasing.

"It started with them fighting over me. Each had hold of an arm and they were using me as the rope in a tug of war. Nova had to tell them to knock it off."

"Odd."

"It gets odder. They then argued about who would stand guard, and when I suggested they both stay, they did."

Mizuki blinked, grabbed a croissant, and tore off a chunk before saying, "You're telling me you slept with Vance and Cain?"

"Slept, yes, but nothing dirty, if that's what you're thinking. They cuddled me, one on either side. But when we woke, they both acted as if they didn't understand how they got there. Cain ran off so fast I almost got whiplash."

"And Vance?"

"Wouldn't look me in the eye, but he did say something about not understanding his actions."

She leaned forward to mutter, "It sounds as if you might have inadvertently coerced them."

"So I did love-spell them?"

"Yeah."

My lips turned down. And here I'd thought we'd turned a corner. Was it greedy I wanted them both? Yes. Did I care? No. What bothered me about the previous night was I wanted them to desire me because they truly were attracted and not because I'd forced them. Did I even have a chance without magic, though?

Mizuki chewed some more of her fresh pastry, and I joined her, luxuriating in the soft texture and the hint of buttery taste before asking, "How do I prevent it from happening again?"

"I'm not sure. This is a spirit thing, which is more Devika's and Nova's thing. Chances are they can adjust their protective talismans to guard against it."

"They're gonna be pissed at me when they find out," I groused. Couldn't blame them. I wouldn't be impressed if someone coerced me into thinking I had the hots for them.

"Chances are it was only so effective because of their feelings for you."

"Feelings I most likely killed." I began stuffing another croissant into my mouth as Nova joined us, looking fresh and well put together in her burgundy pantsuit.

"Good morning, sister witches. Why the serious faces?"

I hesitated to tell, but Mizuki didn't. "Sadie might have accidentally influenced her guardians last night."

"She did," Nova agreed as she headed for the coffee maker.

I almost spit out my croissant. I swallowed before almost shouting, "You knew?"

"It was kind of obvious," Nova stated matter-of-factly.

"And you didn't fix it?" I squeaked.

"Those kinds of compulsions rarely last long. I knew it would wear off." Nova returned to sit by me and reached for a pastry.

"How do I stop it from happening in the first place?" Because I really didn't want to start wondering if Vance or Cain flirted for real or because I really, really wanted them to. It had me questioning the kisses.

"Once you master your magic—"

I interrupted Nova, "Which could take a while,"

"Or not," Nova countered. "Right now, you can't see or feel when you're using your power. That will change. Once you recognize the sensation, you'll be able to curb it."

"But in the meantime, doesn't that make them susceptible to my moods?" I pointed out.

"It does, but if it bothers you, I can implement something that will repel your attempts."

"Please do." Because what I'd done horrified me.

"I'll handle it, as well as work on adjusting your protection from Moloch. Although that will have to be done later, as I have an appointment this morning." Nova sipped her coffee.

"When are we going after Moloch now that we know his base of operation?" I asked.

Mizuki waved a hand. "Wait, what's this about knowing where he's lairing?"

"I saw him in our old castle in my dream. He's using it to gather an army and plot the destruction of the world," I explained.

"Then what are we waiting for?" Mizuki appeared ready to march off to battle.

"Not so fast. Knowing is only part of the equation." Nova tempered her enthusiasm. "We need to find out more about his numbers and capabilities. Rushing in will cost lives and possibly lead to failure."

I countered with, "Doesn't that give Moloch time to strengthen his position?"

"Yes, which is unfortunate. But not something for you to worry about. Asher will be the one planning the eventual attack. A reaper is worth a dozen demons any day."

"We only have a limited number of reapers, though. What if Moloch manages to bring over thousands of demons?" After all, as Dark Lord, wouldn't they rush to obey him?

"The kind of effort required to create and keep open a portal between our world and Inferis large enough to bring over those kinds of numbers would greatly weaken Moloch."

"But he could still do it," I insisted.

"He could, but I doubt he'll want to make himself vulnerable given his recent freedom. Most likely, he'll recruit slowly and steadily, which gives us a bit of time. Now, on to other matters. I hear you're going to practice magic this morning." Nova changed the subject.

"We'll see if it works this time."

"I know it will. Look at what you've done in the last twenty-four hours." Mizuki tried to sound encouraging.

"All by accident," I countered. "What if I'm a person who can only do it when panicked?"

"You'll learn control," soothed Nova. "Just be patient."

Easy to say, but my gut said we didn't have much time. Moloch wouldn't sit around waiting for me to figure shit out. I had to be ready.

When we finished eating, Nova left to run errands, and Mizuki led me to the porch with a fresh candle pulled from a cupboard. While I wanted to believe I could finally light it, I actually dreaded the attempt because I feared failure. For some reason, I suddenly heard Yoda and his famous line, "Do or do not. There is no try." Most likely the Jedi Master would have tossed me out, given my bad attitude.

Mizuki and I sat cross-legged from each other, hands on our knees, the candle sitting innocuously between us. The pristine wick taunted me.

I stared as Mizuki softly encouraged, "Imagine it on fire."

I did. A pretty little orange and yellow flame. Nothing happened, no matter how hard I squinted or clenched my fists.

I sighed. "Still not working."

"You just need to figure out how to trigger it."

"Why is it some spells need words and hand gestures, but others don't?"

"Depends on if the magic needs shaping. Lighting a wick is simply creating a flame. A basic element. Hence, no need for extra tricks." Mizuki gave the candle a stare, and it lit. "But something like a fireball, that requires holding a shape that needs structure." She held out her hand and breathed, "Fuego." A ball of fire hovered just above her skin. She made it look so easy.

"How come it doesn't burn you?"

"Because your magic can't harm you. It's a part of you." To show me, she closed her fist around the flames, and while her hand turned bright, she didn't yelp in pain. When opened to show me, her palm remained unmarred.

"Neat. So now another question, how many words do you need to know to activate the different spells?"

"That's a good question and one without a true answer. The words of power differ between witches. Or should I say depending on who taught the witch. Me, I was taught by Sofia, who uses a lot of Spanish expressions to shape her magic. Over time, it becomes a muscle-memory thing. For example, my mind associates that word—fuego—with a ball of fire; therefore, that's what it shapes. A friend of mine in Europe calls hers bolide, which is Italian for fireball."

"So you can basically use any term so long as your mind can imagine what it should be."

"Exactly."

"Why not just call it fireball then and keep it in English?"

Her lips curved. "Because I happen to like those as shooters, and the last thing you want is a drunken witch accidentally casting magic because of a common term. Hence why we use a language we're not familiar with and would not likely use in regular conversation."

It made sense. "What else can you do with fire?" A part of my questioning had to do with avoiding another failed attempt, but I also wondered what kind of limits magic could have.

"I'm not as imaginative as some. Most of my tricks are just pretty parlor ones, like mariposa." She flicked her fingers, and from each tip, butterflies made of fire emerged to flutter around before wisping into nothingness. "Luces!" She projected both hands, and bright light beamed from them.

I shielded my eyes. "Handy if you're ever in a sewer."

"My skills are kind of restricted because I'm only strong in the fire element. Someone like Nova, who can access several elements, can combine them. For example, with wind and fire, she uses the former to spread the latter and create a tornado of flames. Rani, who does earth and water, can turn the ground to mud."

"Devika does healing. Which element is that?"

"Water, given most living things are comprised mostly of it. As well as some spirit."

"Spirit isn't an element."

"Not in the usual sense, no, but it is a force wielded by some witches."

"What does Moloch have?"

She bit her lip. "I don't know, but I'd guess most likely several, if not all of them. It sure seemed like his demon wizard was multi-element gifted. The one we faced could do things we never imagined like turn an area into night or open a portal. That's not a skill any witch has."

"That's not true. Nova can create doorways. I heard how she brought over the reaper army when my neighborhood got demon attacked."

"She didn't exactly open a portal though, more like she activated the teleporting dais and held it open, allowing numerous people to cross over at a time." The dais being a stone construction that used to allow the reapers to go back and forth from the castle using an amulet tuned in to its anchor.

"Any way of tracking Moloch's portal?"

"I wish. As it stands, he could show up anywhere, anytime."

Not reassuring. I decided to switch back to our lesson. "Could my failure to produce fire be because I don't have that element?"

Mizuki chewed her lower lip with a pensive expression. "It's possible, but I would have thought the messovenata would be gifted in all the elements."

"But you don't know for sure," I prodded.

She shook her head. "We have little information on the messovenata."

"That seems odd."

"Not really, when you realize it's quite common for history to get lost to time. Books get neglected or destroyed by a disaster. And you have to remember, witches have long been persecuted and forced to flee, leaving much behind."

More questions brimmed on the tip of my tongue, but the sound of an approaching car diverted our attention. Mizuki rose with a frown.

"What's wrong?"

"We're not expecting anyone," she stated, staring in the direction of the road, concealed by a bend in the driveway and some trees.

"Maybe it's Nova coming back because she forgot something." She'd left just as we started our lesson.

"Nova's car is electric and doesn't rumble."

"Could be someone lost?" I offered.

"Maybe, but let's not take any chances and get you out of sight," she advised, even as she shooed me.

I didn't want to go, but Vance exited to stand by my friend, barking, "Go inside and wake up Cain. Tell him we have company."

Given the urgent tone, I didn't argue. The sun might shine, but that didn't always stop the demons. They'd shown themselves willing to brave sunlight before to get to me, not to mention there was a certain species that could take over human bodies to walk about unseen. Were we about to be attacked?

Urgency had me bolting through the great room and up the stairs, pausing at the top to eye the many doors, most of them ajar. It didn't take much to figure out which belonged to Cain. I knocked on the closed door next to my room. It swung open to show a disheveled Cain framed in it.

"What?" he snarled, only to soften his glare at my expression. "What's wrong?"

"Someone's coming."

"Fuck. Get in here." He yanked me into his bedroom, and I got a brief glimpse of his unmade bed as I followed him to the window. He peeked through the seam in the curtains, his bulky body blocking my view.

"Who is it?" I asked.

"Don't know. But they're not demons. Seems our visitors are humans."

"Are you sure? They could be possessed."

"Vance's amulet would be glowing."

"Maybe it is, and you can't see it."

He turned from the window long enough to give me a dirty look. He then resumed watching. "There's another car coming. Make that two."

That didn't bode well. "Are we under attack?"

Before he could reply, gunfire erupted!